Automatic temperature-regulating device



Mar. 13, 1923. 1,448,012

E. TREGONING AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE REGULATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1919 4 sheets-sheet 1 Mar. 13, 1923-. 1,448,012

1 E. TREGONING AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE REGULATING DEVICE Filed Sepfi. 6, 1919 4 sheets-sheet 2 Mar; 13, 1923. 1,448,012

. E. TREGONING AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE REGULATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1919 4 sheets-sheet 5 Mar. 13, 1923.

- 1,448,012 E. TREGONING AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE REGULATING DEVICE Filed Sept 6, 1919 4 sheets-sheet 4 llmlml Patented Mar. 13, 1923..

UNITED STATES EDGAR TREGONING, 0F ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE-REGULATING DEVICE.

Application filed September 6, 1919. SeriaINo. 322,073.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, EDGAR TREeoNINo, a citizen of the United States, residing at Attleboro, in the county of Bristol, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Automatic Temperature-Regulating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved apparatus for operating shutters, dampers, valves or other closures in regulating the temperature of internal-combustion engines on automobiles, airplanes, dirigible balloons, or for other like purposes such as with heating and ventilating systems. My improvement as herein shown is particularly adapted for use with shutters applied to the radiators of gas-engines, and the apparatus is arranged to act automatically to control the passage of air through the radiator to regulate the temperature of the cooling medium. For this purpose the shutter-operating means is controlled by a thermostat arranged adjacent the engine, and a particular object of the improvement is to adapt the device to open and close the shutter or other closure by degrees in accordance with slight changes in the temperature of the motor. Through this arrangement the engine is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature to insure the maximum degree of operating efficiency, without variation from the effect of changes in temperature of the countered at different altitudes.

atmosphere. The invention is designed for use on automobiles and other motor-driven road vehicles, and is of particular .advantage for the engines of airships where extreme changes in temperature are en- As before mentioned the apparatus is thermostatically-controlled and entirely automatic in action, and a further feature of the improvement consists in the arrangement of the electrical-means by which it is operated from alow voltage current with automatic switches for breaking the circuit V to prevent waste of current when the mechanism is inactive.

The manner and means for carrying out these improvements are fully. described in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in Which'like reference characters designate like parts. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a. general view of thepower-plant of an automobile, showing the gas-engine, the water-cooling radiator, its air-shield or shutter, and illustrating-my improved apparatus as applied thereto;

Fig. 2, an enlarged, vertical, sectional view of a portion of the radiator-shutter, showings its slats in closed position in full lines, and partly open in dotted lines;

Fig. 3, a similar view with the shutterslats shown fully opened in full lines and closed to a slight degree in dotted lines;

Fig. 4, an enlarged, front elevation of the operating-mechanism of the device; Fig. 5, a vertical, sectional view of the same taken on the line X-X of Fig. 4, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrow;

Fig. 6, an enlarged detail view of the automatic multiple-switch of the device;

Fig. 7, a cross-sectional view of the same taken on the line YY of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow;-

Fig. 8, a sectional view of the contact-device or circuit-closer which controls several circuits of the electrical connections;

Fig. 9, .a vertical-sectional view of the dash-pot or pneumatic-cushion device for the sliding shutter-operating member of the apparatus: and

Fig. 10, a diagram or chart of the com plete electrical wiring-system of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, I have preferred to herein illustrate one embodiment of the invention as applied to a conventional type of internal-combustion engine such as generally used on automobiles and other self-pr0pelled vehicles. In Fig. 1, C designates the uprightcylinders of the motor; A the chassis-frame of the automobile on which it is mountedg-and R- the radiator disposed in advance of the engine and communicating with the water-jackets of the cylinders through suitable connections as usually arranged, but not herein shown or described. The casing 0r shell of the radiator R is extended at the front in an overhanging cowl or frame F, on which is mounted the shutter D or other closure for obstructing the passage of air through the radiator. Any suitable design of air-shield may be employed for this purpose, and as here shown it consists of a shutter D composed of a series of horizontal slats d provided with'trunnions d" at their ends which are pivoted toturn in sockets in the opposite promoting flanges of the radiator frame F. rojecting rearwardly from the trunnions of the several shutter-slats d are operatingarms 6, seeFigs. 2 and 3, which'are pivotally joined at l to a vertical bar or link L, whereby all of the slats d are connected together to rock in unison when the link L is moved up or down. The slats 0! may be conveniently operated to open and close the shutter by means of a crank-arm 'K which is rigidly connected to the trunnion d of the lower slat d.

shutter may be conveniently located under the hood or bonnet of the automobile at the rear of the radiatorR. For supporting the mechanism of the device I employ a vertical standard which may be in the form of a skeleton bracket,or constructed as a plate G, see Fig. 5, reinforced by amarginal flange g of angle-iron. The parts of the operating mechanism are mounted on the front of the standard or plate G and are protected from G attached to the sides of the plate, see Fig. 1. As before stated, the operation of the device is controlled from a thermostat T, which may be of any preferred type, and is usually mounted on one of the engine cylinders C as illustrated in Fig. 1. i

In general, the present improved device operates on the same principle as that of my revious invention shown and described in 'ni ted States Letters Patent No. 1,289,969 dated Dec. 31, 1918. The device of the prior patent, however, is limited in its range of action in that the shutter is opened or closed to the full extent at each operation; whereas in the present improvement the shutter slats are opened and closed by degrees in accordance with gradual fluctuations in the tom- 1 perature of the engine. That is to say, one

object of my present improvement is to provide for opening the shutter partially upon a slight rise in temperature, and to gradually enlarge the opening as the temperature increases; and, vise versa, to efl'ect a variable degree in the closing actionof' the shutter as the temperature of the engine is lowered. Like my prior device the shutter-slats are operated'from a slidable member which may be actuated by gravity to move it in onedirection, and impelled by electro-magnetic means to shift it in the opposite direction. Where in the device of the prior patent the slidable shutter-operating member is raised against the force of gravity by a single electrical magnet or solenoid, in the present construction employ a series of solenoids, two, three, or more, to operate the member with a s'tep-by-step action. This new development and amplification of the apparatus entails an extension of. the electrical cirwit-closing devices and automatic cut-out My improved apparatus for operating the dirt and oil by a removable cover or casing switches, and I have accomplished the desired result by an extremelysimple and compact arrangement of the mechanism as next described:-

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, two horizontal arms orvbrackets 2-2 are bolted to the standard or back-plate G and serve as the main supports for the solenoids and other actuating-mechanism for the shutter-operating means. As herein illustrated I prefer to employ three lifting solenoids S, I S and S which are of the usual type com-- prising cylindrical windings on flanged spools-s. The solenoids S, S S are enclosed by rectangular shrouds 3, the upper and lower" ones being constructed integral with the supporting arms 2-2 extending from the plate G. Extending through the shrouds 3 and fixedly secured therein are two vertical rods H which serve as sup- 'ports for the other parts of the apparatus.

The flanges of the solenoid-spools s are pierced at their rims to allow the rods 44 to pass through them to hold the solenoids laterally, the spools being preferably constructed of fiber, rubber or a similardielectric material to insulate them from their surrounding shrouds. The rods H are braced apart at their lower ends by a cross-strut 5 formed with hubs 6'6 surrounding the rods and held thereon by nuts 77. The shrouds 3 also have hubs 88 surround' the rods 44, those of the lower shrou s resting against the hubs of the cross-brace 5, while the opposite hubs on each shroud abut those of the next adjacent one to hold the several solenoids in spaced relation. The upper ends of the rods 44 are braced by a rectangular frame 10 having extended side hubs 1111 held against the hubs of the upper solenoid shroud 3 by nuts 12-12 on the rods.

Extending through the axial openings of the solenoids is a vertical rod or plunger P which constitutes the slidable, operatingmember for the shutter D. The rod P car- 11 ries a Pp urality of separate armatures or cores H, H for the several solenoids S, S, S the cores being preferably of laminated structure to increase the magnetic efiect by which they are attracted to slide i into the solenoids. The armatures H, -H H are spaced apart along the rod P bv means of collars 13 and are-held iast. at the ends by nuts ldscrewed onto the rod. The lower end of the rod P slides in a bore 15 in the bottom cross-brace 5 and a washer 16 of leather or rubber arrangedl'beneath the lowernut 14 acts as abuflerto cushion the-move ment of the rod as it drops into lowermost poistion. At the bottom of the rod P is a split block "17 clamped thereon by a binderscrew 18, and carrying an elbow-shaped rod '19 at one side, see Fig. 5. The rod 19 is screwed intothe block '17 and held in place by a check-nut20, with its right-angled extension 21 adapted to slide through a hearing 22 in the lower bracket 2 to\ serve as a" brace or guide for the lower end of the plunger-rod P. Referring to Fig. 4, the right-hand end of the lower cross-brace 5 15 formed with a downwardlyextending arm 23 provided with a hub at its end in which is journaled a cross-pin 24. Fast on the pin 24 is a lever 25 having a slot 26 intermediate its ends, through which extends the elbow-rod 19 to adapt the lever to be rocked from the sliding movement of the plunger P.- The lever 25 constitutes one arm of a bell-crank designated Q, its opposite arm 27 being made separate and formed with a split-hub 28 by which it is secured to the pin 24 by a binder-screw 29. The upper end of the bellqcrank 27 is pivotally connected to a fork 30 secured to the end of a rod 31 reaching forward to the crank-armv K which operates the slats (Z of the shutter D, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The arm 27 may be adjusted around the pin 24 by loosening its binder-screw 29, and in this manner the bell-crank 0 may be set to provide the proper connection with the shutter-operating crank K.

' Pivotally connected to the lower end of the bell crank arm 25 by a fork 33 is a rod 34 which constitutes the slidable plunger of a dash-pot U or retarding-device shown in detail in Fig. 9. This latter consists in a cylindrical air-chamber 35 which is closed at both ends and provided with a ball valve u at the top. For this purpose the upper cap 36 of the cylinder 35 is formed with a neck having a central air-exhaust passage 37, above which is a larger opening or socket 38 providing a seat 39 for theball 40. Screwed into the socket 38 is a plug 41 provided with a central air duct 42, and formed at the top with ears 4343 adapted to straddle the sides of a fork-member 44. The cars 43-43 are secured to the fork 44 by a cross-pin 45, and the fork. in turn, is pivoted to the end of an arm 46 by means of a pin 4?. The arm 46 projects rearwardly from the hub or boss 8 of the upper shroud 3, see Figs. 4 and 5, and forms the support for the dash-pot U which is suspended therefrom by the connections just described. The pivots of the connections provide a univer- Sal-joint to allow the cylinder 35 to rock to accommodate the movement of the plunger 34 under the rocking action of the lever 25. At the upper end of the plunger 34 is a fiber or leather washer 49 held between metal disks or washers 50-5O by means of a nut 51. 'The washer 49 is fitted to slide within the walls of the cylinder 35 as the plunger 34 descends with the downward stroke of the main shutter-operating plunger P. During this downward stroke of the plunger 34 the washer 49 causes the airin the cylinder 35 to be exhausted through a duct 52 1n the botbe exhausted through the duct 42, while air will enter the cylinder at the bottom through the duct 52, thus equalizing the pressure so that no resistance to the lifting action of the solenoids is encountered at the dash-pot.

Mounted on the shroud 3 of the upper solenoid S is ayoke-like frame V-having its opposite, parallel legs 54-54 formed with feet fastened to the shroud by means of screws 55-55. The frame V is braced at the top by the cross-member 56 of the frame 10, to which it is fastened by a screw 57. Fastened to the inner sides of the legs 5454 of the frame V are insulating strips 58-58 of fiber, rubber or similar insulating-material, and let into their opposed faces are metal contact-plates oo', o rv and o v The contact-plates ii -1), e 'v and 0 0 are arranged in pairs and are spaced apart in series at a distance corresponding to the extent of lift of the plunger P at each step in its movement. The opposite contacts of each pair are adapted to be bridged by a circuit-closer or'wiper TV carried on the plunger-rod P. The wiperW is fastened to the end of an arm 59 projecting from a collar 60 secured, to the rod P by a set-screw 61, see Fig. 5. As, shown in detail. in Fig. 8, the wiper W is constructed from a block 62 of fiber, wood or other insulatingmaterial attached to the arm 59 by a screw 63. Fastened to the under side of the block 62 by means of a screw 64 is a relatively thin strip 65 of sheet-metal, preferably brass, having its extremities bent up around the end of the block 62 and extending inwardly part way across its top. The ends of the strip 65 are bent outwardly to form two opposite, rectangular loops 6666, within which are coiled springs 67-67 held in pockets 6868 in the ends of the block 62. The springs 67 bear against the loops 66 66 to cause the latter to be sprung outwardly whereby to press them against the contact plates o'v etc., to insure the proper electrical connection therebetween. As the contact-member or wiper WV is shifted from one set of contacts to the other it successively closes the several circuits leading from the thermostat T to the magnet-operated releas-- ing-device for the plunger P, these parts and their electrical connections beingv more fully described hereinafter.

The multiple switch which operates to open and closethe electrical circuits of the device under the control of the thermostat is indicated at Q. in Figs. 4 and 5, and illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. The switch-blades and contacts are carried on a movable trigger-member N which constitutes a swinging armature adapted to be operated from a magnet M mounted on the back-plate or standard G. As shown in Fig. 5, the magnet M is composed of windings surrounding a spool m, and is supported from the plate G by a U-shaped shroud 70 of horse-shoe form held in place by bolts 71. The movable armature N is constructed in the form of a vertical platev hinged to a bracket 72 at its lower end by means of apivot-pin 73.. The bracket 72 is secured to the top of theshrc-ud 3 of the upper solenoid S and is provided with upstanding lugs or ears 74 in whichthe pivot-pin 73 is held. The armature N serves a double purpose; since in addition to providing means for operating the circuit-closing switches Q, it acts as a movable detent or trigger for holding the shutter-operating plunger P in raised position after each successive lifting movement under the action of the solenoids S, S S. For this purpose the trigger N is provided with a plurality of stepped shoulders or catches 12., 11. a corresponding in number to. the several solenoids employed for effecting the successive step-by-step liftingmovements of the plunger P. Adapted for engagement with the detent-shoulders n, n n is a latchmember 75 which projects from the side of a collar 76 held fast on the upper end of the plunger-rod P by means of a binder-screw 77. .The innerend of the latch 75 beveled -of the latch'75, as viewed in Fig. 4, is a bevel-ended contact-wiper 80 having a rounded under side, as shown in Fig. 5, adapted to wipe across aseries of plunger-studsg', q,

g which are carried by the spring-tongues or blades of the mult'ple switch Q to be later described.- i

The immature-trigger N is formed with a cross-bar 81 for making contact with the ends of the opposite side-arms of. the shroud of the magnet M, while at its upper end is a spring-control device for normally holding it away from the magnet. This latter comprises a tubular stud 82 secured to the. standard G by nuts 83 and serving pocket for a coiled compresion-sprmg 84. The end of the spring 84.- bears washer 85 abutting a shoulder 86 on a stud 87 which is screwed through the upper end of the armature N and held in. place by a nut 88. A second coiled-spring 89 surroundagamsta and also serves as a buffer or cushioning device as the washer strikes against the end of the spring-pocket 82 when the armature is forced toward the magnet. Through this arrangement the armature N is allowed to yield. as the latch rides across the detentshoulders or catches n, 12?, n and also swing toward the magnet M under the latters attractionthereof.

The automatically-operated, multiple circuit closing switch Q- is shown in plan view in Fig. 6, and in horizontal cross-section in Fig. 7, taken on the line YY of Fig. 6, looking in. the direction indicated by the arrows. is carried on the armature N, being insuiated therefrom by fiber extensions attached thereto and providing mountings for the witch blades, the electrical contacts and binding-posts. Projecting to the'left of the central, upright arm of the armature N is a rectangular extension 96 to which is attached a rearwardly-extending fiber plate As before explained, the switch Q 97, see Fig. 7, secured thereto by screws 9 8 103. see Fig. 6, consisting of screws having washers 104 and double nuts 105-105 at their outer ends for binding the terminal wires in place. i The screws 101, 102, 103, are inserted through the bent over ends of three parallel, alining spring-blades a, a (1 with the heads of the screws'clamping them in position against the plate 97. The. three spring-blades a. a, a? overlie inspaced relation three similar companion blades b, I), 6, see Figs. 5. 7 and 10, which are held in place on the plate 97 in the same manner by binding-screws 111, 112, 113. At the rearof the blades'b'; b, b? is a single blade 0 held in place on the plate 97 by a'binding-fpost 114. Mounted on the right-hand side 0 the central arm of the armature N is a fiber plate 106 held in place by clamps 107 and screws 108, see Fig. 6. Inserted through. the plate 107 are three binding-posts 116 held in place by nuts 117. At the inner ends of the posts 116 are enlarged contacts 121, 122 123, see Figs. 7 and 10, adapted to be engagedby contact-studs 118 at the ends of the first series of blades a, a, a. The several blades (1', a, a carry the plunger-pins q','q,=, g by which they are operated to break contact atthe studs 118 under the action of the wiper 80 carried by the sliding plunger P as before lying blade in the series a, a, a The blocks 125 serve as insulating means between the two sets of opposite blades while connecting the blades of the second series 1), b 5 to be moved from the swinging action of the front blades a, a a in the manner as later explained. At the outer ends of the blades 5', 5 b are contact-plugs 127 adapted tostrike against corresponding plugs 128 on the rearward single blade 0, the latter having a T- like extension at its end, see dotted lines in Fig. 6, to support the studs in opposite relation to those on the three forward blades. The rearward single blade 0 is normally sprung forward toward the front blades, as shown in Fig. 7. under its inherent springtension and is held in this position by a stop 129 secured to a plate 130 fastened to the edge of the fiber plate 106.

As before stated, the thermostat T may be of any preferred construction and in Fig. 1 it is illustrated as comprising a mushroom casing having a tubular stem 13 which is inserted through the water-jacket of the engine cylinder C to adapt its operating parts for close communication with the circulating cooling-fluid. Referring to Fig. 10, the casing of the thermostat T encloses a series of contacts t, t t t*, t and t which are arranged in spaced relation concentric to the axis of an arm 00 which carries a contact piece 00' at its end adapted to wipe across the fixed contacts t, t etc. The arm 00 is pivoted in the tubular stem of the thermostat casing which also encloses a spiral spring 7 adapted to expand and contract under the efi'ect of changes in the temperature of the fluid in the cooling system of the engine. One end of the spring 3 is fixed and its opposite end attached to the arm 02, whereby the expansion of the spring under a rise in temperature will .turn the arm in the direction indicated by the arrow 2, Fig. 10, to cause its contact an to wipe across the fixed contacts.

The several contacts t, t 25 t, 25 and t are connected by Wires 131. 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136 which lead to binding-posts k, 70 k, 70 and 70, respectively. These latter are of usual arrangement, consisting in suitable screws 137 inserted through an angle-iron strip 138 attached to the edge of the upright plate G and insulated therefrom by fiber thimbles and washers 139, see Fig. 4. On the ends of the screws are double nuts 140 for binding thewires thereto. At the lower ends of this series of binding-posts is a seventh post In from which leads a wire 142 connected to the battery represented at B. or to a generator or other source of electrical energy. Fromwthe battery B a wire v 143 is grounded at'144 in the chassis A of the automobile usually by connecting it to one of the side-sills, see Fig. 1. Another wire 148 isalso grounded in the chassis frame at 149 with its opposite end connected to the arm :10 of the thermostat T, as shown in Fi 10. 4

F eferring still to the wiring chart, Fig. 10, from the binding-post [c of the battery connection 142 a Wire 147 leads to themagnet M, and from this connection are branches 8', s", s leading to the several solenoids S, S S to connect the latter in multiple with the main circuit from the battery. The opposite'leads of the solenoids A, S S extend through wires 151, 152 and 153 connected respectively. to the bindingposts 116 of the contacts 121, 122 and 123 on the armature N, see also Figs. 6 and 7.

The opposite contacts 118 on the switchblades 0/, a a are connected by wires 154,

155, 156 to alternate binding-posts k is, k,

the latter being connected to the thermostat contacts as before explained. From the binding-posts 111, 112, 113 for the inter-. mediate switch-blades 1), b 5 wires 157, 158, 159 lead respectively to the left-hand contacts Q), o, '0 of the circuit-closing device V; while from the opposite contacts a, 11 12 wires 160, 161, 162 lead to the binding-posts is, 70 70 connected with the thermostat contacts as previously specified. The single binding-post 114 of the rearward switch-blade c -is connected by a wire 165 to the magnet M. The complete apparatus and its electrical system having now been described in detail its method of operation 0 the shutter will next be explained.

Assuming the engine or motor to be at rest or cold, and'the shutter D closed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the method of operation of the shutter-controlling means is as follows: With the shutter closed its operating-plunger P is in lowermost position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and the thermostate contact-arm as will be in its first position to the right of and removed from the fixed contacts t, t etc., as indicated in Fig. 10. When the engine is started and the temperature of its cooling system commences to rise the thermostat coil y will expand and the arm 00 will be turned on its pivot in the direction indicated by the arrow a. The initial movement of the arm a: carries its contact-block 00' across the first contact t of the series, but since this is connected in circuit 131, k, 160 with the circuit-closing device V, which, with the plun-' ger P at the bottom of its throw, is open, as shown in Fig. 10, there will be no efiect on the apparatus. The thermostat T is adjusted so that the contact-arm on may have this slight inoperative range of movement during the period that the engine is warming up to the point of its greatest eificiency; but when this point is reached and the temperature rises beyond the maximum required for efiiciency then the contact-arm ac will becarried beyond the first contact t to connect it with the second contact F. This latter connection will close the circuit through the wires 132, 154; switch-blade a and contacts 118121 of the switch Q; wire 151 to solenoid S; and thence through lead 8 and wires 147, 142 to the battery B. From the battery .13 the circuit is completed through wire 143 to mid 144; and from ground 149 through wire 148 back to the arm as. It will thus be seen that with this circuit closed by the engagement of the con tacts :10, t as above explained, the lower solenoid S will be energized from the battery B or other source of, current, and the effect of this on the shutter-operating means will be as. follows: The energizing of the solenoid S will atvtract its armature H to raise the plunger P until the armature is balanced in the solenoid. This initial lifting of the plunger P rocks the bell-crank 0, connected to its lower end, to cause its arm 27 to slide the connecting-rod 31 to the right, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 10; and this action causes the rod 31 to rock the crank-arm K, see Fig. 2,

7 through an arc of substantially thirty degrees. The crank K bein connected to the several shutter slats 01', (l by means of the link L will thus act to open the slats one- .third of the full extent, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Referring now to Fig. 5, as the plunger P is lifted the first step by the solenoid S its latch 75 will ride up'over the detent-shoulder n on the armature or trigger N until its under edge 78 engages therewith to hold the plunger raised. At the same time the wiper-extension 80 on the latch 75 will slide up across the rounded end of the plunger stud g on the lowermost switch-blade a; but it is to be noted that as the wiper 80 moves into' this position the armature N is being pressed rearwardly slightly by the action of the beveled end of the latch 75 on the inclined face of the detent-shoulder n. When, however, the latch 75 and detent n come into locking engagement the armature or trigger N will swing forward again under the action of its spring 84, and this return of the trigger brings the end of the plunger-pin gf against the wiper 80 whereby to cause the switch-blade a, see Fig. 7, to be sprung back relatively to the armature on which it is mounted. This pressure of the wiper 80 against the end of the pin 9 thus causesthe spring blade 0' to be moved away from the contact 121, see Fig. 10, to open a gap between the latter and the blade-contact 118. The effect of this action is to break the circuit at this point immediately the latch 75 is engaged with its detent n, whereby the flow of current is interrupted and the solenoid S deenergized again. In this way the solenoid S remains energized only during the brief period required to. lift the shutteroperating plunger P through the first step of its movement and after the latter has been locked in place by its detent the current is cut off so as to avoid depletion of the battery,

The opening of the shutter D to the slight extent above explained allows a limited circulation of air through the radiator R, tending to cool the fluid therein and thus lower the temperature of the engine. In moderately cold weather such limited air circulation will in most cases be sufficient to maintain the engine at the proper temperature to insure its functioning at maximum eflicontrols for lifting the plunger in opening the shutter. This arrangement provides for a limited range of movement of. the contactarm as between the alternate contacts without causing the shifting of the plunger in either direction, the purpose being to 'prevent the apparatus from becoming over sensitive to very slight changes in the temperature of the cooling-system. Stated briefly, when the first movement of the contact-arm :1: engages it with the first fixed contact t no action results because the circuit 131, 157

160 is open at 'v'-- v'. When, however, the contact-finger :20 moves forward still further across the 'next fixed contact t it 'will close the circuit 132, 151, 154 to the solenoid S' to'energize the latter to lift the plunger its first step. Likewise the contact-finger as must reach the fourth fixed contact before the plunger P is again raised to still further close the shutter, and the same method of operation is continued throughout the whole series of contacts. .In this way a constant opening and closing action of the shutter is avoided, its operation being only effected when suflicient' change occurs in thetemperature of the engine to reduce its efiiciency;

After the shutter has been partially opened by the first upward step of the plunger P, under normal conditions the contact arm a: may fluctuate between the contacts t and t without having any effect on the shiftingdevices. If, or. when, however, the temperature of the outside air is not low enough the shutter, then the arm 00 will continue its turn ng movement under the I further expansion of its (301112}. When the heat of the to maintain the ngine at the prop r t eratur with the-first partial opening of control of the thermostat.

engine expands the coil sufliciently to carry the arm w around into position with its contact-block x" engaging the fourth contact t another operative circuit will be closed as follows: The wire 134 leads from the contact t to the binding-post k, and thence wire 155 leads to the second switch-blade a which is closed against the contact 122 on the armature or detent-trigger N. The contact 122 is connected by Wire 152 with the second solenoid S which, as before explained has its lead 8 connected through the main circuit 147, 142 to the battery B. As before explained, the battery B is grounded at 144 and the contact-arm m at 149 so that the circuit to the solenoid S is closed through these connections when the thermostat-arm a2 engages the contact t. As the second solenoid S is thus energized by the closing of this circuit it will act on its armature H to lift the plunger P through its second step. It is to be noted here that the armatures H, H H

are spaced at closer intervals along the plunger P than are the solenoids S, S S in relation to each other. This provides that as theplunger P is lifted by each solenoid the armature for the next solenoid above is brought part way into its respective solenoid so as to have the proper relation thereto for its attraction thereby. As the second armature H is lifted into balanced relation with its solenoid S the latch 75 at the upper end of the plunger P snaps over the second detent n on the armaturetrigger N to lock the plunger in place. At this juncture the return movement of the trigger N causes the plunger-pin g on the second switch-blade a, see Figs. 6 and 7, to ride out against'the wiper 80 shown in Fig. 5. The blade a is thus caused to break contact with the contact-plug 122 on the trigger N to interrupt the circuit to the solenoid S at this point in the same manner that the circuit to the first solenoid S is broken at the switch a, as first explained. The sole noids S will thus be deenergized andwaste of current from the battery prevented.

The lifting of the plunger P through the second step of its movement-acts through the bell-crank 0, link 31 and crank K to open the shutter-slats d thirty degrees farther, or to two-thirds of the full extent as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. An increased circulation of air through the radiator is thus provided, but if this is not sufficient to maintain the desired temperature in the cooling system of the engine, then the shutter is opened to the full extent as illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 3 under the further This last opening movement is effected by the action of the third solenoid S on. its armature H, the circuit for energizing the solenoid S being closed by the engagement of the thermostat contact-arm a: with the last contact If. The circuit to the solenoid S comprises the Wires 136 and 156 leading to the switchblade (1 the switch-contacts 118-123 and Wire 153 leading therefrom to the solenoid; and, on the other side, the wires 147, 142 to battery B; wire 143 to ground 144; and wire 148 from ground 149 to contact-arm m. The action of the latch 7 5 in engaging the third detent W, and the method of operation of the third switch-blade a to break the circuit to the third solenoid 8 being identical with that of the similar elements of the apparatus before explained, no further recitation of the functioning of these parts Will be necessary. Sufiice it to state that as the contact-arm w is advanced along the fixed contacts of the thermostat by the expansion of its coil y under the action of a continued rise in temperature in the cooling system the plunger P will be raised with a. step-by-step action to open the shutter by degrees.

Likewise, upon the falling of the tem-' perature of the engine the contact-arm 00 will be withdrawn in the opposite direction across the fixed contacts of the thermostat T, and as each alternate contact in the series is engaged thereby the respective circuits for operating the means for closing the shutter will be made active. It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus does not of necessity perform the several steps in the opening or closing of the shutter in regular sequence or succession. On the contrary, the thermostat-control acts selectively to shift the shutter-operating plunger P either up or down from any position according to requirements; that is to say its position may be reversed after each step in its movement in either direction. As a matter of convenience in describing the closing movements of the shutter, however, the functioning of the operating-plunger P will be explained as occurring in three successive downward steps as is sometimes its method of action. Considering then that the plunger P is raised to the upper extreme of its movement, with its latch 75 locked With the third detent 42 the descent of the plunger to close the shutter is efi'ected as follows: It must first be noted that with the plunger P in its uppermost position the circuit-closing wiper W will have been carried up across the opposite fixed contacts 'u'v', o 'v 41 -0 until it bridges the pair last named. It is also to be recalled that with the latch 75 engaged with the third detent n the wiper 80 on the latch will be pressed against the plunger-pin g on the upper switch-blade a to hold the latter sprung back with a gap at the contacts 123-118. This rearward deflection of the switch-blade a acts throughthe insulating-block 125 on the companion blade 6 see Fig. 7, to press the latter back toward the third blade 0 and thereby connects the terminals of these two rearward blades at the contacts 127-, 128. The object of this switch action is to close the circuit to the magnet M at the switch Q, and the same circuit extends through wire 159 to thecircuit-closing device V and is closed by the wiper W bridging the contacts 71 -71 The circuit to the magnet M extends from the switchblade 0 through the wire 165; and from the opposite lead of the magnet through wires 147 and 142 to battery B; and thence through wire 143, grounds 144, 149 and wire 148 to the thermostat arm :12. As the arm a: is retracted under the influence of a drop in temperature in the cooling system of the engine its engagement with the fixed contact 25 of the thermostat completes the circuit to the magnet M through the following connections: From the contact '6 wire 135 leads to binding-post W, and thence wire 162 leads to one of the pair of contacts v -o which, as before explained are bridged by the wiper W. From the opposite contact 22 wire 159 leads to switch-blade b and this being in contact with blade 0 of the locking detents the plunger P will be allowed to drop under the action of g)ravity and, acting through the bell-crank will slide the rod 31 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, to close the shutter d one third of the full extent. Immediately the plunger starts to move downwardly the wiper 80 rides oil from the end of the plun ger-pin g on the switch-blade a allowing the latter to-spring back against its contact 123, see Figs. 6 and 10. This release of the blade a also allows its companion blade 6 to spring forward to open a gap between its contact 127 and the contact 128 on the rearward blade 0, see Fig. 10. The separation of the blades 12 and c breaks the circuit to the magnet and the latter, becoming deenergized, will release the trigger-armature N. The trigger N will thusv be swung back to first position under the action of its compression spring 84, see Fig.5, whereby the detent-shoulder n will be carried, into position to engage the latch to check the furthe:- drop of the plunger P. It is to be here noted that the downward movement of the plunger P is rendered sluggish under the action of the cushion-device or dash-pot U connected to its lower end, and functioning for this purpose in the manner as previously explained. This provides that the trigger N, which is released practically inmagnet.

by the latch, and likewise in the caseof the shifting of the latch from the second detent n to the lowermost detent n. The action of plunger 34 in the dash-pot U also cushions-the latch 75 on the main plunger P from striking too abruptly against the detents and further prevents it from jerking the shutter-slats, which would tend to break or cause wear on their ivots. The lifting of the plunger P unde'r t e attraction of the solenoids is naturally somewhat retarded by the efi'ect of gravity, and thus all of its shifting movements are rendered smooth and even so as not to impose sudden shock or jars on the parts of the mechanism or on the shutter which it operates.

As the plunger P drops to the second position the wiper rides across the end of its companion blade 1; into contact with the blade 0. At the same time thewiper W is slid down into position to bridge the gap between the fixed contacts 5 21 see Fig. 10, so that the second circuit to the magnet M is closed-at these points. Consequently, if or when the thermostat arm a: recedes still farther under a further drop in the temperature of the engine, as its block as is carried against the fixed con tact t the circuit to the magnet M is completed through wires 133, 161; contacts 0 0 and wiper W; wire 158 and switchblades b 0; and wire 165. From the 0pposite lead of the magnet the circuit extends through the main wires 1'47, 142 to the 'battery B; and' thence through the grounds 144, 149 to the arm as, as in the previously described first circuit for the The energizing of the magnet M through this circuit attracts the triggerarmature N to release the second detent n from the latch 7 5 and the plunger P is thus allowed to. drop until the latch locks it at the lower detent n in the same manner as in the first step of its movement as above described. This second shift of the plunger P closes the shutter to the extent illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, and during this action the wiper W is carried into position between the contacts v'-v', while the wiper 80 releases the plunger-pin g to break made for moving WVhen employed on a the motor stops acts back across the contact t and the third magnet circuit through wires 131, 160; contacts o u"; wire 157; and switch-blades b, 0, will be closed and upon the release of the detent n by the armature N the plunger P will drop to lowermost position to close the shutter completely as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. This last action of the plunger opens the gap between the lower switchblade I) and blade so that all of the magnet circuits are interrupted at the switch Q, and also at the contact device V by the dropping of the Wiper W as illustrated in Fig. 10. It will also be observed from the chart, Fig. 10, that all of the solenoid circuits remain closed at the switch Q so that the apparatus is set to respond again to the forward movement of the contact-arm .2; across the fixed contacts in the manner as first explained. It is also to be noted that each time operating-plunger P open the shutter it operates the automatic switch Q to not only break the circuit of the solenoid which has just lifted it, but also to set the switch to close the appropriate magnet circuit whereby the plunger may be immediately released to drop shutter again. In this way provision is the plunger selectively in opposite directions through the control of the thermostat under varying fluctations of temperature. The device is thus entirely automatic in regulating the temperature of the engine, a mean temperature for insuring the maximum efiiciency of the motor being maintained at all tlmes under extreme changes in the temperature of the outside atmosphere. It will therefore be appre ciated that my improved apparatus is of signal advantage for use with internal-combustion engines applied to various purposes. automobiles or trucks the automatic closing of the shutter when to retain the heat under the hood or bonnet of the car to make starting easier in cold weather; and when the Y the engine is running the adjustment of the shutter slats under automatic control of the thermostat maintains the engine at its point of highest efiiciency while also conserving fuel and lubricant. When applied to the motors of airplanes and dirigibles my improved, automatic regulation of the temperature of the engine under extreme changes in the temperature of the atmosphere at. difierent levels provides for operating it continuously at maximum speed, a most important consideration on aircraft. My apparatus is also adapted for use on water craft such as speed boats and may be applied to other purposes of a difierent nature. F or instance, it may be employed on valves for steam or other heating agents; for operating the dampers of furnaces; for

is raised a step to.

and close the opening ventilators, and for all uses where an even temperature is required. While I have herein shown the mechanism of the apparatus as arranged for three shifts ot the controlling-member, it will be obvious that the range of action of the device may be indefinitely extended by increasing the number of solenoids and detent-stops as re uired.

lt'hile I am aware that it is old in the art to provide thermostatically-controlled electrically-operated means for opening and closing shutters, dampers, valvesor the like,

believe that I am the first to devise an apparatus which is automatically selective in its range of operation as regards the openin and closing of the shutter or damper to dierent extents, and therefore I claim this feature broadly. Also, it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit'my claims to theembodiment of the apparatus herein shown and described for, obviously, various modifications might be made in the structure and arrangement of its mechanism without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 1

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the type specified, the combination with a movable control-memher adapted to, normally assume a predetermined position, of electrical-means for shifting said member to varying extents from its normal position, detent-me-ans for locking said member in the different positions of shift, electrical-means for releasing said detentmeans, a plurality ofnormallyopen circuits for the electrical-means, and a thermostat for closing the different circuits to selectively operate the different electrical means under the effect of changes in temperature.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination with a shiftable control-member adapted to normally assume a predetermined position, of a series of solenoids for shifting said member with a step-bystep movement away from its normal posi- .tion, detent-means for holding said member in the difi'erent positions of shift, electricalmeans for releasing the detent-means, a plurality of circuits for selectively energizin the solenoids and operating the detentre easing means, and a thermostat for closing the dificrent circuits under the efiect of changes in temperature.

' ran the combination with a shiftable controlmember adapted to norm-ally. assume a predetermined position, of means to shift said member to difierent extents from its normal position, detent-means for holding said member in its diiferent positions of shift, electrical-means for operating the shifting-means and releasing the detentinea s, a plural y of 9 1' for selectively energizing electrically-operated. detent-means member,

. cuits to the magnet alternately opening detents for locking v 'ber,

the several electricalpmeans; and a thermostat for closing the individual circuits under the e ect of changes in temperature.

4. In an apparatus of the type specified, the combination with a shiftable controlmember, of electrically-operated means for shifting said member to difierent positions,

for lockiug said member in its difierent positions of shift, a source of current, a series of circuits for connecting the shifting-means and detent-means with the source of current, a thermostat for selectively closing said circuits, and contact-devices for automatically .openin and closing the alternate circuits to the s ifting-means an means.

5. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination with a shiftable controlof electrically-operated means for shifting said member to difi'erent positions, electrically-operated detent-means for locksaid member in the diiferent positions of shift, a plurality of circuits for the shifting-and detent-means, a source 0 current included in said circuits, a thermostat for selectively closing said circuits, a

multiple switch for all of the circuits, and means actuated from the movement of the control-member to operate the switch to alternately open the circuits to the shiftingmeans and close the circuits to the detentmeans.

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination with a shiftable control-member, of 'a plurality of selenoids for shifting said member to different extents, a series of 7 said member in its difi'erent positions of shift, an electro-magnet for releasing the detents, a source of current, a series of circuits connecting the source of current with the solenoids and magnet, and athermostat for alternately closing the solenoid and magnet circuits under the effect oil: a rise or fall in temperture.

7. In a device of the type specified, the combination with a "shiftable control-memof a plurality of solenoids or shifting said member-through a series of steps, detent-means for lockin said member in its difl'erent positions 0 shift, an electromagnet :for releasing the detent-means, a

source of current, a series of circuits for connecting the solenoids and magnet with the source of curren a thermostat for sesaid circuits, a contact-device for successively closing the several ciras the control-member is shlftedin either direction, and a switch for and closing the magnet circuits in succession I duringthe' shifting movement of the cone trol-membe'r;

shifting movement of the member.,

"combination with a shiftable control-memof fixed contacts arranged contact-member operated the solenoid circuits magnet, a source of current in said circuits,

a thermostat for selectively closing sald cucuits, a multiple switch having opposite sets of contacts for the solenoid and magnet circuits, and means operated from the movement of the control-member to openon'e set ofcontacts and close the other set at each 1e controllurality of solenoids for shift- 1; 9. In an apparatus of the type specified, the combination with a shiftable control- .member, of a luralit of solenoids for shii'ting said mem er wit a step-by-step action, detent-means for locking said member in its different positions of shift, an electro-magnet for releasing the detent-means, a plurality of circuits for the-solenoids and magnet, a' source of current in said circuits, a thermostat for selectively closing saidcircuits, a multiple switch having opposite sets of spring-contacts for the solenoid and magnet/ circuits, and a wiper-device operated from the movement of the control-member to'itorce the contacts of one set apart an those of the opposite 'set together at each shiftin movement; of the member.

10. u an apparatus of the type specified, the combination with a shiftable controlmember, of electrically-controlled means for shifting said member, a movable detentmember having a series of catches, a latch on the control-member for engaging the detent-catches to hold the member in diiferent positions, electrical-means for releasing the detent-member from the latch, and a thermostat for selectively energizing the difierent electrical-means.

' 11. In a device of the type specified, the

her, of electrically-operated means for shifting said member with a step-by-step action, electrically-operated detent-means tor locking said member in its different positions of shift, a plurality of separate circuits for controlling the operation of the shiftingmeans and detent-means,-a source of current in said circuits, a thermostat having a series in alternate connection with the circuitsfor the shifting-means and detent-m'eans, and a movable .under the effect of changes in temperature to move along thefixedcontacts In testimony specified,

r with a step-by-step action,

whereof aflii: my signa- 126 EDGAR museums. v 

